Picture of the day - June 28, 2008

Hubble photo of barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300

Photo courtesy of NASA. Today's picture features a magnificent view of barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300, one of the most beautiful and intriguing galaxies in the known universe. Captured by the amazing Hubble Space Telescope, this image gives us a rare view of the entire galaxy at one time with a level of clarity that was simply impossible to achieve before the Hubble was launched back in 1990. NGC 1300 lies some 70 million light years away from earth in the constellation Eridanus. I am constantly amazed at the quality of the images the Hubble produces, and I dread the day when we all get the sad news from NASA that the orbiting explorer has "bit the dust". Hopefully that day will come some time way off in the future.   Click here to comment on this picture.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!                                 Place the "Picture of the Day" on your website, for free! Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"